§ 18. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what consultations he has had with the Gas Council in the past 12 months concerning the appointment of full-time medical staffs by the area boards; and what progress has been made towards a comprehensive medical service for the gas industry.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)My Department and the Ministry of Labour medical inspectors of factories are in close touch with the gas industry. Nine of the twelve gas boards now have full-time medical officers and two have appointed medical consultants.
§ Mr. SwinglerI thank the Minister for what he has done to help forward the Gas Council and the gas boards towards the establishment of a medical service, but is he satisfied that there is in existence a medical service for the gas workers which is as comprehensive as possible?
§ Mr. LloydIn the technical form in which the hon. Member has put it, that Question is actually a matter for the Minister of Labour, but I am satisfied that very considerable progress has been made. The only gas board that has not a full-time consultant or medical officer is the Wales Gas Board, where, for geographical reasons—the separation by mountains and so on—the Board thinks it better to reply on local practitioners. I think that the Board is right in this.